Shillong, Nov 7: The ANVC-B asked all the nokmas in Garo hills region to cancel their agreement and take back their land from companies as there is no provision for settlement of land to outsiders in the sixth schedule area.
ANVC-B statement issued Wednesday warned, “Failing to comply their names(nokmas) will be listed out publicly and action will be taken for violation of the land rights.”
The statement said,“We cannot allow companies to rob bread meant for our children.”
According to the outfit, outsiders are taking the land on lease for hundred years and freely build houses, carry out their businesses, exploit the local resources which in turn affect the economy of the people as the cash flows out of the area.
Some notable areas are limestone mines, coal mines, and export companies at Gasuapara, Dalu, Mahendraganz and areas bordering Khasi Hills, the statement pointed.
Stating that the role and power of the nokmas are at stake due to violation of the land transfer act, the outfit said, “We will apprise the Council of Nokmas of their role and ask them to play a major role in protecting the tribal land.” It said leasing out land for long duration is equivalent to selling off the land.
The statement accused the nokmas of violating the act by leasing the land for a long period without any proper documentation and approval of the concerned authorities as there is restriction of leasing and sale of land to outsiders in the tribal area.
The statement said, “Nokmas are solely responsibility for violation of this act and draining out local resources which is in no way is contributing to the development of the local people.”- By Our Reporter
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